Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a News Anchor Intern

🎯 Role Definition

A News Anchor Intern is an emerging broadcast professional gaining foundational, hands-on experience within a live newsroom environment. This role is designed to be a bridge between academic learning and a professional career in journalism. The intern actively supports the news production process from story conception to on-air delivery, working closely with seasoned anchors, reporters, producers, and directors. The core purpose of this position is to develop essential skills in news writing, on-camera performance, ethical reporting, and digital media integration, all while contributing to the station's daily news-gathering operations and serving the community with accurate, timely information.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Journalism or Communications Student
College Radio/TV Station Contributor
Newsroom Production Assistant or Runner

Advancement To:

Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) / Reporter
Associate Producer / News Producer
News Anchor / Reporter in a smaller media market

Lateral Moves:

Digital Content Producer / Social Media Manager
Communications Specialist / Public Relations Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Shadow and assist senior news anchors and reporters during live broadcasts and pre-production to understand on-air workflow and best practices.
Research, verify, and gather detailed information and facts from credible sources for developing news stories, segments, and special reports.
Write clear, concise, and engaging news scripts for broadcast, ensuring they are factually accurate, conversational, and adhere to the station's style guide and AP standards.
Practice and deliver news updates, teases, and short segments on-camera in a studio setting to develop a professional on-air presence and delivery style.
Conduct pre-interviews and assist in formal interviews with newsmakers, experts, and community members to gather soundbites and essential information.
Assist with the production of news packages, including logging footage, selecting B-roll, and working alongside video editors to assemble compelling visual stories.
Learn to operate and successfully run teleprompter systems during live shows and rehearsals, ensuring a smooth and accurate delivery for on-air talent.
Generate and pitch original story ideas in daily editorial meetings, focusing on local news, community events, and topics relevant to the target audience.
Utilize social media platforms to post news updates, engage with the audience, share behind-the-scenes content, and promote upcoming stories and broadcasts.
Assist field crews by helping set up equipment, managing logistics, and providing general support during live shots and remote reporting assignments.
Continuously monitor wire services (e.g., Associated Press), social media feeds, and competing news outlets to identify breaking news and developing stories.
Participate actively in daily editorial meetings, contributing to discussions about story selection, coverage angles, and the overall newscast rundown.
Develop a strong, professional on-air voice, diction, and camera presence through regular coaching and constructive feedback from news directors and senior staff.
Perform basic video editing using non-linear editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Edius) to prepare content for both broadcast and digital platforms.
Update the station's website and digital platforms with written articles, video clips, and supplementary content related to on-air stories to enhance online presence.

Secondary Functions

Answer newsroom phones, respond to viewer emails and news tips, and professionally represent the station in all communications.
Maintain and organize newsroom assets, including digital archives of scripts, video files, and contact lists for future reference and easy access.
Represent the station at community events and public appearances alongside full-time staff to foster positive community relations and act as a brand ambassador.
Collaborate with producers and directors to time newscasts, ensuring all segments and reports fit within their allocated time slots for a seamless broadcast.
Proofread and fact-check scripts and on-screen graphics to ensure complete accuracy, correct grammar, and quality control before air.
Assist the digital team with creating web-exclusive content, such as photo galleries, interactive timelines, or extended interviews.
Observe and understand the roles of other newsroom personnel, including producers, directors, photographers, and assignment editors, to gain a holistic view of the news production ecosystem.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Broadcast Writing: Mastery of writing for the ear, creating clear, conversational, and AP Style-compliant scripts under tight deadlines.
Video Editing: Foundational knowledge of non-linear editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, or Edius.
On-Camera Presence: The ability to appear confident, credible, and engaging on camera, with excellent diction and vocal projection.
Social Media for News: Proficiency using platforms like X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram for news gathering, verification, and audience engagement.
Interviewing Techniques: Skill in asking pertinent, probing questions and actively listening to elicit compelling and informative responses.
Digital CMS: General familiarity with updating and posting content to news websites using content management systems.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to distill complex information into an easily understandable narrative.
Composure Under Pressure: The ability to remain calm, adaptable, and focused in high-stress situations, especially during breaking news and deadline rushes.
News Judgment & Curiosity: A natural inquisitiveness and the innate ability to identify compelling, relevant, and impactful story ideas for the local community.
Collaborative Spirit: A proactive and positive attitude toward working with reporters, producers, photographers, and editors in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Superb Time Management: Excellent organizational skills to juggle multiple assignments, prioritize tasks, and consistently meet demanding deadlines.
Journalistic Ethics: A firm understanding of and unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics, integrity, fairness, and objectivity.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently enrolled as a student in, or a very recent graduate of, an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education:

Pursuing a Bachelor's degree (Junior or Senior level) or Master's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Broadcast Journalism
Communications / Mass Communication
Media Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-1 years. Prior experience gained through coursework, college media (TV/radio station, newspaper), or a previous media-related internship is highly valued.

Preferred:

A portfolio or demo reel showcasing on-camera work, writing samples, and/or reporting packages is strongly preferred and often required for consideration.